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China's quantum leap will transform cybersecurity

Friday, September 8, 2017

Subject

China's advances in quantum communications.

Significance

China's recent success with an experimental quantum communication satellite and other rapid advances in quantum cryptography are major steps towards its plans to construct national and global quantum networks that could, in theory, be close to unhackable.

Impacts

  • Even if absolute security is impossible, quantum communications may still confer an edge.
  • China could become less vulnerable to foreign nations’ signals intelligence and cyber espionage capabilities.
  • China’s leadership in operationalising quantum cryptography is likely to create commercial opportunities -- for Chinese firms.
  • In the more distant future (perhaps by 2030), China could take the lead in constructing a 'quantum internet'.

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